As I am finding out this year, there are a lot of things that you never imagine could happen. My mother was in perfect health until her first bout of pneumonia. It has been downhill fast since her second resulting in near death in May. The worst paart is that she is too well for a nursing home and too unwell to be alone.
She has refused to accept that she must use a walker. As a result, she fell several times, the last breaking her ankle in two places. She just had surgery this weekend. Now she will go for respite care with some additional aides required. Then, when she is mobile again (if we get her there—it has been a tough road), she will go into an assisted living facility.
Her attitude has been horrible. She has been petty, demanding, difficult with her aides, rude, and refuses to do her exercises or try to get better.It has been a lesson to me in how not to be when I get old. She was somewhat this way to a hugely less degree before. I have been stunned and saddened that it has brought out the very worst in her.
It has been a stressful year.
It has been hard to be part of and hard to watch.